Guard Frequency Episode 104 | The Shack Outside Lagrange (Point 4)

Greetings Citizens and Civilians, you’re tuned to episode 104, of Guard Frequency — the best damn space sim podcast ever! This episode was recorded on Friday 22nd January 2016 and released for streaming and download on Tuesday, January 26th 2016 at GuardFrequency.com[Download this episode]

Tony, Lennon and Geoff are back in the hanger for the fourth episode of the expanded Guard Frequency!

To kick us off, we’ve never had a good reason to talk about them despite them being in our intro week after week after week, but as the opportunity has arisen we discuss Lagrange points and how they’re helping the LISA Pathfinder. On the Flight Deck we see what news from your favourite space-sims has landed as we cover:

and then Geoff gathers Lennon and Tony’s thoughts on the very nature of space sims. Next, we strap Chiv and our executive producer Elliot into the Sim Pod as they review space arcade-sim-shooter Strike Suit Zero, and finally we tune into the Feedback Loop and let you join in on the conversation.

This Week’s Community Questions

What makes a space sim? Does it need a thunking great stick between your legs for a little pew-pew, is it about the technical simulation, or perhaps you have a different view?

Priority One Productions are always looking for new team members that have a passion for space sims. Please know that all of our positions are volunteer, but we do offer a well known outlet for your work. If you have a particular skill that you believe could enhance our content, then send your contact information and experience along with a few writing samples to squawk@guardfrequency.com

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Comments (4)

Ostron

I definitely come down more on the “space” and less on the “sim” side of things. If it’s got spaceships that can navigate in 3 dimensions, and the game’s primary focus is using that ship or possibly even a few ships to accomplish objectives, I’m happy with including it in the fold. All of the newtonian physics and orbital mechanics are take it or leave it for me, ditto input control options (though if it’s having you use fighters, I prefer a joystick option).

Adon

I meant to write in last week about VR because I’m a bit of an enthusiast when it comes to that, so I’ll keep it brief here.

You brought up the point I was going to put in my feedback this week. The porn industry has chosen formats and pushed technology more than almost any industry (from a mass consumer stand point at least). I’ve done some…research… into this and it is definitely something here to stay I would say, as to how many game companies develop for it I don’t know, but I hope it is a lot. System requirements should go down as the tech gets better and general systems become more powerful. Overall I am very optimistic for the future of VR.

And Tony you ignorant slut. Input doesn’t dictate if something is a space sim or not. However I will say in the history of games itself flying your space ship (typically into combat) is one of the defining factors of the genre. I think that we should open up the definition to any game that is in some way about simulating space to be interacted with in some manner. While Eve is not a game I really am interested in playing, I would define it as a space sim.

In general feedback I think weeks like this is when your new format really shines. There wasn’t a lot of SC news, so that segment can just shrink and you’re not at a loss for things to say. Keep up the good work.